The Handmaid’s Tale: Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Offred walks through the garden on the way to the shops. The red tulips have bloomed and look, to Offred, as though they’ve been cut and are healing. The Commander’s Wife, Serena Joy, takes care of the garden, with the aid of a Guardian (Nick). Serena Joy, who has arthritis in her left foot, also passes time sewing and knitting elaborate, childish scarves for the Angels at war. Offred imagines that maybe the scarves aren’t actually used, but just unwoven into yarn again.

Offred recalls five weeks ago, when she arrived at the house. In her flashback, Serena Joy herself, identifiable by her blue Commander’s Wife robes, opens the door. Offred remembers Aunt Lydia’s advice to be empathetic. Serena Joy smokes an illegal cigarette. They talk, and we learn that this is Offred’s third assignment to a Commander. Serena Joy says that they should interact as little as possible, and that this is strictly business, which disappoints Offred, who longs for a closer familial connection. Offred’s quiet, obedient answers remind herself of a talking doll.

Still in the flashback to five weeks ago, Offred remembers why Serena Joy looks familiar: from a religious television program called the Growing Souls Gospel hour, where Serena Joy was an emotional, beautiful singer.